The Gathering, Chattanooga

A Pilgrim’s Plea: Struggling in a Strange Land Opening story of pilgrimage or being a stranger in a strange land and it being hard. I did much of my international travel during my earlier adult years. That, of course, means that there was no Google Translate, Google Maps, GPS, or anything else that makes…

Introduction: This is a challenging passage. I’m going to exposit it as best I can 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with…

Introduction: This is a challenging passage. I’m going to exposit it as best I can 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with…

James 5:1-11 – Whole-hearted Devotion  ( James 5:1 ) “Come now you rich people…” 1 Come now, you rich people… First Question: Who are these people? Hint: Has he used the term, “The rich” elsewhere in the letter? Yes! James 2:5-7 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this…

James 5:1-11 – Whole-hearted Devotion  ( James 5:1 ) “Come now you rich people…” 1 Come now, you rich people… First Question: Who are these people? Hint: Has he used the term, “The rich” elsewhere in the letter? Yes! James 2:5-7 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this…

4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives greater…

4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives greater…

Today is Resurrection Sunday. Here at The Gathering, we say we’re here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every week. That’s true. What then makes this special/different? We come together for more than just celebrating the resurrection of Jesus , though nothing less than that. We come here for more…

James, Part 8 – James 2:14-26 Introduction: Some have called this passage in James “the most theologically significant, as well as the most controversial, in the letter of James. It deals with the question of whether belief in Jesus can save you if it’s not accompanied by works . In other words, what…

Opening Illus: The saga of John and Terry John and Terry had been married for several years. Married life was pretty easy the first couple of years, but eventually, what was most endearing to John about Terry had begun to grate on him. Terry, for her part, had grown tired of cleaning up John’s mess every…

Opening Illus: The saga of John and Terry John and Terry had been married for several years. Married life was pretty easy the first couple of years, but eventually, what was most endearing to John about Terry had begun to grate on him. Terry, for her part, had grown tired of cleaning up John’s mess every…

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 16…

James, Part 4 James 1:9-11 Consider this: A Case Study Repetition of Truth leads to real change. So let’s review: Why James wrote this letter – so that we will be whole-hearted followers of Christ, mature and complete lacking nothing. 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience…

Going through trials in a way that leads to joy-production requires wisdom. If you struggle to find joy in trials, it’s most likely a wisdom-deficiency. Not merely a knowledge deficiency –you can have a good idea of what should be done but can’t do it, certainly not consistently – or an experience deficiency…

James 1:2-4 is a favorite largely because of practicality. We immediately see that in verse 2 – trials. 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect,…

James: A Call to Whole-Hearted Devotion. Part 1 First of all, what is it? What are we looking at? We know it’s a letter because of the greeting. We know it’s by a man named James (literally, Jacob -- Jacobus) Style, structure, and genre: · In some ways, it’s considered a book wisdom, written in similar…

1. Christ builds His Church (11b – All wisdom comes from one Shepherd). 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates…

“Growing old isn’t for sissies.” As time passes, we experience the joy in many of the things we did when we were younger less and less. Activities you delighted in, aren’t enjoyable anymore. That happens throughout life. But I have witnessed that what the teacher said is true. The older you get, life…

Ecclesiastes, Part 15, “Seize the Day” 11:7-12:8 Opening Illustration: Made the mistake one night of realizing how quickly I’m back in bed. That was over 25 years ago! Time really does fly! This message today is mainly for the young, but those of every age who still have air in their lungs need to heart…

Ecclesiastes, Part 14 – 11:1-6 One of the things the teacher has told us over and over is that life is unpredictable. As recently as last week: Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 - The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 The one who quarries stones…

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 – The Way of the Wise Last week, looked at God’s work in justification and sanctification through means . Circumstances and choices – these shape us into Jesus’ likeness as the more of each of these we experience, we gain godly wisdom. Sounds great, except we know how we can become…

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Colossians 1:4–7 (CSB) 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints 5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the…

Advent Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus , meaning "coming" or "arrival." Advent is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.…

Advent Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus , meaning "coming" or "arrival." Advent is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.…